AIR CADET ORGANISATION CHILD PROTECTION GUIDE
AIR CADET ORGANISATION CHILD PROTECTION GUIDE
CADETS FIRST
CADETS FIRST
(The welfare of the child is paramount (Children Act 1989))
(The welfare of the child is paramount (Children Act 1989))
An aide-mémoire for adult members of staff in the Air Cadet Organisation
(ACO)
It is designed for you to keep with you – carry it!
(for further details, refer to the Child Protection Guide)
An aide-mémoire for adult members of staff in the Air Cadet Organisation
(ACO)
It is designed for you to keep with you – carry it!
(for further details, refer to the Child Protection Guide)
It is the primary responsibility of all adult members of the ACO to safeguard the
moral, psychological and physical welfare of children regardless of gender,
religion, race, ability, disability, sexuality and social background by protecting
them from any form of physical, emotional and sexual abuse or neglect.
It is the primary responsibility of all adult members of the ACO to safeguard the
moral, psychological and physical welfare of children regardless of gender,
religion, race, ability, disability, sexuality and social background by protecting
them from any form of physical, emotional and sexual abuse or neglect.
All children have the right to protection from all forms of abuse and harm when
engaged in ACO activities and when in contact with members of the ACO. All
adult members of staff have a duty of care, which makes them responsible both
for safeguarding children in their care from abuse and harm and for responding
swiftly and appropriately when suspicions or allegations of inappropriate
behaviour arise; this applies to all cadets and not just cadets under their
immediate control.
All children have the right to protection from all forms of abuse and harm when
engaged in ACO activities and when in contact with members of the ACO. All
adult members of staff have a duty of care, which makes them responsible both
for safeguarding children in their care from abuse and harm and for responding
swiftly and appropriately when suspicions or allegations of inappropriate
behaviour arise; this applies to all cadets and not just cadets under their
immediate control.
What happens if …….?
What happens if …….?
You suspect a cadet is being abused:
• Stop and listen immediately if someone wants to tell you about an incident, or you suspect
abuse. Ensure a suitable witness is present if possible
• Give sympathetic consideration to the person talking to you
• Make a note of what is said while the conversation is taking place
• Where time and circumstances permit, report the allegation/suspicion to the officer in charge
• If you have an immediate concern, report the matter to the statutory authority (local authority
social services, the police or the NSPCC (0808 800 5000)”
• If the officer or instructor in charge is implicated in any way, report to Wg Ad O or HQ Air
Cadets
You suspect a cadet is being abused:
• Stop and listen immediately if someone wants to tell you about an incident, or you suspect
abuse. Ensure a suitable witness is present if possible
• Give sympathetic consideration to the person talking to you
• Make a note of what is said while the conversation is taking place
• Where time and circumstances permit, report the allegation/suspicion to the officer in charge
• If you have an immediate concern, report the matter to the statutory authority (local authority
social services, the police or the NSPCC (0808 800 5000)”
• If the officer or instructor in charge is implicated in any way, report to Wg Ad O or HQ Air
Cadets
A cadet tells you about abuse by someone else:
• Allow the cadet to speak without interruption; accept what is said
• Alleviate feelings of guilt and isolation, while passing no judgement
• Ensure the cadet has access to an independent adult
• Offer support but make no undertaking to keep the matter secret
• Take the same action as in suspecting a cadet is being abused above
A cadet tells you about abuse by someone else:
• Allow the cadet to speak without interruption; accept what is said
• Alleviate feelings of guilt and isolation, while passing no judgement
• Ensure the cadet has access to an independent adult
• Offer support but make no undertaking to keep the matter secret
• Take the same action as in suspecting a cadet is being abused above
You receive an allegation about any adult, including yourself:
• You must report the matter, through the chain of command, where possible, to the statutory
authority
• Do not attempt to question the person or investigate yourself
• Never ask questions which might put words into a person’s mouth
• Never ignore an allegation, even if the person concerned is trusted and known to you
• Never contact a cadet or his/her parents who you believe has made an allegation against you
You receive an allegation about any adult, including yourself:
• You must report the matter, through the chain of command, where possible, to the statutory
authority
• Do not attempt to question the person or investigate yourself
• Never ask questions which might put words into a person’s mouth
• Never ignore an allegation, even if the person concerned is trusted and known to you
• Never contact a cadet or his/her parents who you believe has made an allegation against you
YOU MUST REFER – YOU MUST NOT INVESTIGATE
YOU MUST REFER – YOU MUST NOT INVESTIGATE
Question
What To Do
Key Points
What should I do if a cadet
asks to speak to me in
confidence about what could
be a child protection matter?
Arrange for a third person (who is acceptable both to you and the cadet) to be
present and make sure you are out of hearing and sight of others. Reassure
them and listen carefully to what they are saying – do not ask questions. Make
no judgement about what you’ve heard and stay calm.
You cannot keep what they tell you a secret, but reassure
them that anything they tell you will remain “in confidence”.
Ensure you write down times, facts, observations (verbatim
speech if possible).
Who is responsible for YOU ARE. However, where time and circumstances allow (which normally should
reporting concerns to the be the case), the matter is to be discussed with your CO or other superior officer.
appropriate authorities?
Talk to your CO and/or Wg Ad O (if applicable) who will normally
consult with HQ Air Cadets (Personnel Staff Officer or Child
Protection Officer).
What do I do if I think a child is In urgent cases, where you have an immediate concern about the welfare of a
child who may be at risk, you must make direct contact with the one of the
in immediate danger?
statutory authorities (social services, the police or the NSPCC (see contact
details below)), reporting later to your chain of command
Have the cadet’s name and address and the name and
address of their parent/guardian/carer available. Refer to your
notes – don’t filter or withhold any information. You have no
right to detain a cadet but you should provide a “place of
safety”, if possible, until the authority assumes responsibility.
Should I contact parents/ The parents or guardians/carers of the cadet subject of the disclosure or allegation
should normally be informed by the Sqn CO as soon as possible that a report is
guardians/carers?
being made to the police or social services
If parents or guardians/carers are implicated, do not inform
them but request advice from the statutory authority.
In cases where you hear allegations about yourself or your colleagues, or hold
suspicions or concerns in which your colleagues are implicated, you should consult
your superior officer without delay. If your superior officer is implicated in any
allegations or suspicions you should immediately consult your Wg Ad O.
The Wg Ad O will ensure that the chain of command (including
HQ Air Cadets) is informed.
How many people should be Only discuss child protection issues with the individuals mentioned in the Child
Protection Guide.
informed?
For reasons of confidentiality, the number of people to be
informed of alleged child abuse cases reported to the
authorities are to be kept to a minimum (‘need to know’).
What should I do if I hear
allegations/have suspicions/
get a report about potential
abuse, and members of the
ACO are implicated?
Local Information
Wing Admin Officer
HQ Air Cadets (Child Protection Officer)
HQ Air Cadets(Personnel Staff Officer)
Telephone Number
01400-267088
01400-267638 or 267639
Telephone Number
Local Authority Social Services
NSPCC Child Protection Helpline
Police (local number) (or 999 in any emergency)
0808 800 5000
Contacting Social Services or the Police: ask for the Duty Officer (or Emergency Duty Team) and say that you wish to discuss a child protection matter:
·
·
·
·
·
ask for the name of the person with whom you are speaking
discuss all the information you have (nothing is to be filtered or withheld)
state your intention to advise your chain of command
ask if anyone else should be informed
keep a record of your conversation and of any advice given
REMEMBER:
— never do nothing
— don’t assume someone else will do something
— never push a child for more information
— never discuss your worries with the suspected abuser
RAFC/GRAPHICS/33.225
Question
What To Do
Key Points
What should I do if a cadet
asks to speak to me in
confidence about what could
be a child protection matter?
Arrange for a third person (who is acceptable both to you and the cadet) to be
present and make sure you are out of hearing and sight of others. Reassure
them and listen carefully to what they are saying – do not ask questions. Make
no judgement about what you’ve heard and stay calm.
You cannot keep what they tell you a secret, but reassure
them that anything they tell you will remain “in confidence”.
Ensure you write down times, facts, observations (verbatim
speech if possible).
Who is responsible for YOU ARE. However, where time and circumstances allow (which normally should
reporting concerns to the be the case), the matter is to be discussed with your CO or other superior officer.
appropriate authorities?
Talk to your CO and/or Wg Ad O (if applicable) who will normally
consult with HQ Air Cadets (Personnel Staff Officer or Child
Protection Officer).
What do I do if I think a child is In urgent cases, where you have an immediate concern about the welfare of a
in immediate danger?
child who may be at risk, you must make direct contact with the one of the
statutory authorities (social services, the police or the NSPCC (see contact
details below)), reporting later to your chain of command
Have the cadet’s name and address and the name and
address of their parent/guardian/carer available. Refer to your
notes – don’t filter or withhold any information. You have no
right to detain a cadet but you should provide a “place of
safety”, if possible, until the authority assumes responsibility.
Should I contact parents/ The parents or guardians/carers of the cadet subject of the disclosure or allegation
guardians/carers?
should normally be informed by the Sqn CO as soon as possible that a report is
being made to the police or social services
If parents or guardians/carers are implicated, do not inform
them but request advice from the statutory authority.
What should I do if I hear
allegations/have suspicions/
get a report about potential
abuse, and members of the
ACO are implicated?
In cases where you hear allegations about yourself or your colleagues, or hold
suspicions or concerns in which your colleagues are implicated, you should consult
your superior officer without delay. If your superior officer is implicated in any
allegations or suspicions you should immediately consult your Wg Ad O.
The Wg Ad O will ensure that the chain of command (including
HQ Air Cadets) is informed.
How many people should be Only discuss child protection issues with the individuals mentioned in the Child
informed?
Protection Guide.
For reasons of confidentiality, the number of people to be
informed of alleged child abuse cases reported to the
authorities are to be kept to a minimum (‘need to know’).
Local Information
Wing Admin Officer
HQ Air Cadets (Child Protection Officer)
HQ Air Cadets(Personnel Staff Officer)
Telephone Number
01400-267088
01400-267638 or 267639
Telephone Number
Local Authority Social Services
NSPCC Child Protection Helpline
Police (local number) (or 999 in any emergency)
0808 800 5000
Contacting Social Services or the Police: ask for the Duty Officer (or Emergency Duty Team) and say that you wish to discuss a child protection matter:
·
·
·
·
·
ask for the name of the person with whom you are speaking
discuss all the information you have (nothing is to be filtered or withheld)
state your intention to advise your chain of command
ask if anyone else should be informed
keep a record of your conversation and of any advice given
REMEMBER:
— never do nothing
— don’t assume someone else will do something
— never push a child for more information
— never discuss your worries with the suspected abuser
RAFC/GRAPHICS/33.225